Toby tried to climb to his feet. The movement stirred the Aboriginal into motion and he turned and limped towards the scrub above the riverbank. At the edge of the trees he paused to glance back at the two men on the sand, one dead and one alive. Then he stepped into the shadows of the bush and was gone.

Toby had never seen a structure as grand as Government House. He and Paddy gaped in awe as they strode towards a pair of huge doors set back on a wide verandah. A batman swung the doors open and ushered them into a reception hall where Childers stood waiting across an expanse of blue carpet.

‘Ah! Toby and Patrick. You’re early. That’s good. The Governor abhors poor punctuality.’

They were left with no time to admire their ornate surroundings as Childers led them through a set of doors at the back of the hall and into an outer office.

‘I’ll just check His Excellency is ready.’

He went to a set of large doors at the rear of the office, knocked discreetly and pushed one open.

‘Tobias and Patrick O’Rourke, Your Excellency.’

A voice called from the room beyond. ‘Show them through, man.’

Lieutenant Governor Sir Charles Hotham sat behind a huge desk. Sunlight showed through a pair of high windows and splashed across the carpet, illuminating the governor’s gaunt features. Despite a head full of dark hair, his beard was wispy and sparse. Hotham had a thin frame. Only the gold-braided epaulettes on the shoulders of his naval uniform served to give his body any breadth. A sword in a glittering scabbard hung from a stand beside the desk. When he stood, the Governor was tall, offsetting his slender frame.

‘Gentlemen, I am so pleased to meet you.’

‘A pleasure, Your Excellency,’ Toby said, remembering how Childers had addressed the governor.

Hotham smiled. ‘I have read the excellent report prepared by Sergeant McTavish. It seems you had quite an adventure out in the mountains. And a fruitful one, too.’

‘Yes, sir—uh, Your Excellency,’ Toby stammered.

‘Yes, quite,’ the governor said. ‘I shan’t keep you long. I’m sure you’re anxious to return to your family in Ballarat. I only wanted a brief opportunity to thank you both personally. The good Lord knows my short term as governor of this colony has not been an easy one. You gentlemen have given me a bright note I can include in one of my despatches.’

‘Thank you, Your Excellency,’ Toby said, getting a feel for rolling the title off his tongue.

‘Yes, well—’ The governor returned to his chair, seemingly thankful to be off his feet. ‘I have approved the payment of the reward as posted. You gentlemen possess quite a bit of wealth now. I hope you intend to spend it wisely?’ He gave Childers a little look, just a brief flash of his eyes.